DUBAI, Sept 24 (Reuters) - The World Food Programme said on Wednesday it was launching an emergency operation to help feed 600,000 people in Yemen who are struggling to survive because of high food prices.

"Yemen is one of the countries most hard hit by high food prices... In recent months, prices have decreased slightly, though they are still out of reach for many," the U.N. agency said in a statement.

The $30 million operation will provide food for people who are most affected by a global rise in costs that earlier this year saw Yemen's domestic wheat prices nearly double, it said.

Earlier this year, soaring food prices sparked protests in countries around the world including Yemen, one of the poorest countries outside Africa.

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